Ontario Provincial Police – Peterborough County – Peterborough, ON

OPP Peterborough County Detachment

Jurisdiction and Regional Coverage

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) – Peterborough County Detachment serves as the law enforcement body for the vast rural and semi-rural areas surrounding the City of Peterborough. Located on Lansdowne Street East, this detachment provides policing services to municipalities such as Selwyn (excluding Lakefield), Douro-Dummer, Otonabee-South Monaghan, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, North Kawartha, and Trent Lakes. It is crucial for citizens to distinguish this detachment from the Peterborough Police Service, which polices the city proper, Lakefield, and Cavan Monaghan. The OPP detachment handles all criminal investigations, traffic enforcement on provincial highways (like Highway 7 and 115 within the county), and emergency calls in its designated townships.

Community Services and Administration

The detachment office acts as a hub for administrative public services. Residents of the policed townships can visit during business hours to apply for Criminal Record Checks and Vulnerable Sector Checks required for employment or volunteer work. The detachment also actively participates in the MedicAlert Connect Protect program, which gives officers 24/7 access to information about vulnerable persons (such as those with autism or dementia) who may wander, ensuring quicker and safer reunions. Community engagement is a priority, with officers involved in marine patrol on the region’s extensive waterways during the summer and snowmobile trail enforcement in the winter.

Modern Governance and Action Plans

Operating under the newly implemented Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (effective April 2024), the detachment reports to the Peterborough County OPP Detachment Board. This civilian board replaced the former individual police service boards, consolidating oversight to better reflect the regional nature of OPP services. The detachment develops three-year Action Plans tailored to local priorities, such as traffic safety, property crime reduction, and illicit drug enforcement. The facility itself is equipped to handle prisoner processing and evidence management, serving as a critical infrastructure point for maintaining safety across one of Ontario’s most geographically diverse counties. 🚓👮‍♂️🚤🇨🇦